shifter shaft issue
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
A very simple adjustment and replacement of the link will cut your shifter linkage problems to a minimum. As I'm sure most know, replace your link ends with Kiem joints, they will not come apart. Second, does your linkage rattle or does it seem very loose and vibrate while bike is idling, that is what is wearing out the joints and splines. There is a rubber spacer between the shifter and primary case, it has to to compressed to put tension on the shaft and pull it tight so there is no play or slack and keeping your linkage from shacking itself apart. It also helps to keep everything lubed good including where the shaft goes through the primary case. Inspect every oil change and keep things tight and your linkage problems will go away.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,462
Likes: 57,017
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Yep ... You're correct :>)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 1,902
From: East Coast, USA
One of the many threads on heim joints.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...t-linkage.html
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,131
Likes: 12,691
From: South Carolina
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Nov 3, 2019 at 06:27 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
It is checked at service intervals. That doesn't prevent a failure, trust me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
OK,I'll trust you! I've owned 4 5-speed bikes,all high miles,the latest being my '06 with 103,000 on it. I've never had a shift lever failure on any of them.-I must be doing something right!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
After reading through this and having experienced the problem first hand, I wonder how closely this issue is related to banging gears or a heavy heel.
I never had a problem with the transmission shift shaft or linkage on my forward control 2001 65K mile Dyna. It would get lose and I would tighten it up on occasion, but it never failed. However, it was a problem with my project 2003 Ultra. The lever splines stripped one afternoon in commuter traffic. I was able to pull over and crank down the torque enough to limp on home. It failed again as I was pulling onto my street.
I pulled the primary off and cleaned and dressed the shaft splines with a jeweler's file and put a new OEM lever on with a dab of blue Loctite on the bolt and torqued it to book specs. I also cleaned and dressed the forward control shift shaft and took off the heel shift lever because it was just to friggin' weird and unnatural after years riding the Dyna. That was around 5K miles ago and all is well.
I never had a problem with the transmission shift shaft or linkage on my forward control 2001 65K mile Dyna. It would get lose and I would tighten it up on occasion, but it never failed. However, it was a problem with my project 2003 Ultra. The lever splines stripped one afternoon in commuter traffic. I was able to pull over and crank down the torque enough to limp on home. It failed again as I was pulling onto my street.
I pulled the primary off and cleaned and dressed the shaft splines with a jeweler's file and put a new OEM lever on with a dab of blue Loctite on the bolt and torqued it to book specs. I also cleaned and dressed the forward control shift shaft and took off the heel shift lever because it was just to friggin' weird and unnatural after years riding the Dyna. That was around 5K miles ago and all is well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,217
Likes: 3,045
From: St.Louis Mo.
I think one of the biggest issue with the splines stripping out is the heal shifter. I've watched many people stomp the living crap out of that thing. It's no wonder they get stripped. That said, HD should make them out of a harder material so they don't strip so easy.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,980
Likes: 6,107
From: Florida
People need to stop stomping the levers into gear like they're killing a cockroach. A light SNICK is all it needs. Then you can enjoy the first gear "clunk" more. I have posted before about the "snick" & yet people still tromp the SOB into gear. I see it all the time. Stop stomping; start snicking. And start appreciating the "clunk".
Last edited by dickey; Nov 3, 2019 at 10:45 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
I think one of the biggest issue with the splines stripping out is the heal shifter. I've watched many people stomp the living crap out of that thing. It's no wonder they get stripped. That said, HD should make them out of a harder material so they don't strip so easy.